Philippines: Activities

The Santa Barbara Golf Course in Iloilo province was established in 1908 and the Americans, enthusiastic about the game, have promoted golf ever since in Zamboanga province in Mindanao and Intramuros in Manila. Today the Philippines has some of the finest golf courses in the world with more than 50 courses across the archipelago.

Philippine waters attract growing numbers of scuba divers and most resorts are well-equipped with modern diving equipment. Facilities for water skiing, jet skiing, windsurfing, hobie-cat sailing, kayaking and other water sports are also available.

For nature lovers there's mountain climbing, bird-watching, cave exploration and photo safaris, while history buffs can visit museums, centuries-old monuments and churches spread across the country.

Philippines: Shopping

From the northern tip of Luzon to the southern end of Mindanao there are a host of beautiful products to choose from. These include handicraft items such as carved statues and religious icons, household products such as the Tiffany lamps made of capiz, cane items including basketware, ornaments and furniture, jars, vases, and jewellery made from gold, silver, brass and pearls.

Clothing is also popular and there is fine leather footwear, knitwear and traditional clothes such as the 'barong tagalog', the national costume made of cloth woven from banana fibre (jusi) or pineapple fibre (pina).

Travel Quotes:

One travels more usefully when alone, because he reflects more. Thomas Jefferson

Just got back from a pleasure trip: I took my mother-in-law to the airport. Henny Youngman

Fiesta Foods Philippines Cuisine

For festive occasions, people band together and prepare more sophisticated dishes. Tables are often laden with expensive and labor-intensive treats requiring hours of preparation. In Filipino celebrations, lechón (also spelled litson) serves as the centerpiece of the dinner table. It is usually a whole roasted pig, but suckling pigs (lechonillo, or lechon de leche) or cattle calves (lechong baka) can also be prepared in place of the popular adult pig.

More details at Fiesta Foods Philippines Cuisine

Travel outside the country, safe and sound

Be aware of their custom as well. Do not get yourself that feeling of being an outcast or do not hurt others just because you have gone against their usual beliefs and their usual acts. When you know the culture and the custom, the more you sow seeds f respect to the place and its people. Travel outside the country, safe and sound